Envelop and stamp moistener.



PATENTED 001'. 15, 1907.

T. F. MARTIN. ENVELOP AND STAMP MOISTENBR.

APPLICATION FILED IAH23, 190'! 1% h macs 1m: NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGION, D. c.

THOMAS FRANK LIN MARTIN; OF MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA,

ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TU JAMES W. MARTIN, OF MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA.

ENVELOP AND STAMP MOISTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15, 1907.

Application filed January 23,1907. Serial No. 353,628.

To all whom it mayroncern! Be it known that 'l, THOMAS FRANKLIN MARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Morgantown, in the county of Monongalia and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envolop and Stamp Moisteners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for moistening envelop flaps and stamps, and for similar purposes.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, convenient and comparatively inexpensive device of this character which will be durable in use and highly effective for the purpose intended.

Further objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the structural features by means of which these objects are attained, will be made clear by an examination of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved moistening device; Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the same; Fig. 3 is a detail section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 in Fig. l; and Fig. l is an end view of the device, the sponge or absorbent material being removed.

Referring to the drawings by numeral, 1 denotes the body of the device which is in the form of a combined handle and a reservoir forwater or other liquid. This body is preferably, but not necessarily, molded in a single piece from elastic rubber, or the like; and as illustrated it comprises a straight tubular or cylindrical portion 3 having a bulb or enlargement 4 at its inner or upper end and a slightly enlarged and thickened portion 5 at its outer or lower end. Water or other liquid may be introduced into the cavity or chamber 6 in the body .1 in any suitable manner, but asillustrated I have provided in the top of the bulb f an inlet 7 and a removable closure 8 for said inlet. In the thickened or solid end 5 of the body 1 is formed a chamber or cavity 9 in which is fitted a sponge or otherabsorbent material 1.0 to which the water or liquid in the chamber 6 is fed through a centrally and longitudinally arranged discharge passage 11 formed in said portion or end 5 of the body. The cavity 9 is preferably formed with under cut walls 12 to assist in retaining the sponge therein and if desired I may also secure said sponge by a suit able water-proof cement. As shown, however, the sponge is more ei'iectively secured in said cavity by a cross pin 13 passed transversely through it and the end 5 of the body, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. This pin 13 also passes through a. tubular projection or boss 14 formed centrally upon the bottom Wall of the cavity 9 and in which the discharge passage 11 is also formed. The outlet or discharge of the water through the passage 11 is controlled by a small check valve 15 consisting of a cone shaped upper end adapted to seat upon the similar shaped upper or inner end 16 of the passage 11 and also a depending cylindrical stem 17 which extends through the passage 11 and projects beyond the end of the boss 14 and into a cavity formed centrally in the sponge for the reception of said boss. The stem 1.7 is of such length that when the valve 15 is upon its seat 1.6 the lower end of the stem will project beyond the end of the body 1 in order that when the sponge is compressed while being used, the valve will be raised from its seat and thus opened to permit of the passage of water through the discharge. The valve drops upon its seat by gravity and will also be forced thereon by the weight of .the water or by the pressure of the latter should the bulb or handle be inadvertently squeezed. The opening movement of the valve may belimited in any suitable manner, but as shown its stem is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 18 through which the pin 13 extends.

The construction, use and advantages of the invention will be readily understood upon reference to the drawing. It will be seen that 'when the chamber 6 contains water and it is desired to moisten the flaps of envelops, stamps, or the like, the sponge is pressed downwardly upon the surface to be moistened, whereupon the valve 15 will be lifted from its seat and the desired quantity of water may be fed to the spongeby slightly squeezing or compressing the handle and its bulb. It will also be observed that the provision of the valve 15 effectively prevents the discharge of water from the device should the collapsible handle or bulb be compressed by an object indavertently placed thereon.

While the present embodiment of my invention is in the form of a device for moistening stamps, envelop flaps, or the like, it will be understood that with slight variations the invention may be used for various other purposes. It will also be understood that various changes in the form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a hollow body forming a reservoir and having a discharge, an absorbent material to receive the liquid passing from said discharge, a self-closing valve arranged in said discharge and having a slotted stem projecting into said absorbent material whereby the valve will he opened when said matel-1:11 is compressed, and a cross. pin projecting through the slot in said valve stem for limiting the opening movement of the valve.

2. A device or the character described comprising a 1101- low body forming a reservoir and having a discharge formed 'with a cone shaped valve sent, an absorbent material to receive the liquid passing from said discharge, a cone shaped valve arranged in said discharge for engagement with said seat, said valve having a stem formed with a longitudinal slot and a cross pin projecting through the slot in the valve stem for limiting its movement.

3. A device of the character described comprising a tubular body having a solid end formed with a cavity and a discharge passage affording communication between said cavity and the chamber in said body, an absorbent material arranged in said cavity, a valve arranged in said discharge for controlling the passage of liquid from the chamber in the body to the absorbent material, said valve having a stem formed with a longitudinal slot, and a cross pin passing through the slot in the valve stem, the ab sorbent material and the walls in said cavity for limiting the movement of the valve and retaining the absorbent material in said cavity.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS FRANKLIN MARTIN.

Witnesses W. S. Conny, CHARLES WALTERS. 

